Southfield woman who shot lover after bad sex released from jail

A Southfield woman convicted of shooting her long-time lover in the stomach after a disappointing sexual encounter has been released from jail while appealing the verdict.

Sadie Bell, 58, was convicted in Oakland County Circuit Court of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder as well as a felony firearms charge in mid-April. She is expected to appeal and was granted a $10,000 cash or surety bond by Judge Phyllis McMillen Wednesday, July 16, according to an online review of court records.

An online search of inmate records shows Bell was released from Oakland County Jail Thursday, July 17.

McMillen sentenced her on June 26 to as many as 10 years in prison for the 2013 shooting of Edward Lee, with whom she was having a 15-year affair, according to Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Paul Walton. Bell accused Lee of cheating because of what she considered an inadequate ejaculation after sexual intercourse.

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Bell, a licensed gun owner, was also sentenced to two years in prison for the firearms conviction. She did not testify in the six-day trial in which she claimed self-defense, according to court documents.

Walton was not surprised to learn the case would likely be appealed, but he did consider the bond amount “ironic,” noting it is much lower than the $25,000 bond Bell was initially given while awaiting trial.

“You have a woman who has shown she has a habit of acting out in a violent manner,” he said. “She’s a danger to the public and she should be held accountable for her actions.”

Walton is confident an appeals court would uphold Bell’s convictions.

“There weren’t any unique circumstances,” Walton said. “This case was very straightforward. We’re confident we will be confirmed.”

Bell, however, believes there is a “great likelihood” her conviction will be overturned. Court documents show her attorney believes there was a “strong indication” of a violation of Bell’s right to effective assistance of counsel related to her decision not to testify on her behalf during the trial.

Walton expects the case will be appealed in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the prosecutor’s office has filed an appeal in an effort to get Bell’s bond revoked.

Lee and Bell have been involved in an affair for more than a decade and Lee is married to another woman, Walton said. Lee is recovering from his injuries, Walton added. Court documents show Lee initially told his employer he was shot multiple times by a carjacker.

Bell was arrested — but not convicted — in connection with the 1991 shooting of her husband, court documents show. The man declined to testify in in that case and in this case as well, Walton said.

A long-time worker in the health care industry, Bell has two adult sons and five grandchildren, according to court documents.

About the Author

Paul Kampe covers the Rochester area for The Oakland Press. He has also worked as online coordinator, a page designer/copy editor and preps sports writer. Reach the author at paul.kampe@oakpress.com
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